Bryan Mena-Martinez
Quantitative Studies
Bryan came to Penn with a distinctive voice and goal. He wanted to combine his interests in business with his passion for nonprofits. Having settled on concentrations in Finance, Business Economics & Public Policy, Bryan was keenly interested in developing well-rounded expertise in all areas of business that would allow him to practice in both the private and public sectors.
From his first exposure to business through his work as a mechanic and accountant for a machine shop to his internship at JP Morgan’s Investment Management Division, Bryan has shaped his experience both inside and outside of the classroom. During his junior year, Professor Ashley Swanson encouraged him to create a schedule that would allow him time to pursue nonprofit work. This advice paved the way for Bryan to select his most recent summer job at a non-profit organization helping immigrants pursue their path to citizenship, learn English, and gain computer literacy.
Leadership
Fun and leadership coexist through Bryan's involvement with Wharton Undergraduate Cohorts. There are nine total cohorts, which are named after different financial currencies, and include around 60 freshmen students per cohort. Bryan serves as President of Cohort Yuan and is tasked with creating a small, cohesive diverse community. Every week, Bryan meets with his board of fellow Yuan leaders to plan restaurant outings, trips to peers' shows, and unique holiday-themed study breaks. He also meets weekly with presidents of other Cohorts and staff from Wharton to shape and lead the narrative about how to best support students. The support spans from mental health to professional development, to funding coffee for mentor-mentee meetups.
Residential Life and Dining
As a resident of Harrison College House for all four years, Bryan enjoys spending time with his friends on and off-campus. From pumpkin carving contests to sharing a favorite meal from Los Gallos Mexican Taqueria, and from spending time watching movies, to playing on an intramural basketball team, Bryan has made meaningful connections across the Penn community.
Service to Society
Bryan’s passion for volunteering began in his hometown of Los Angeles, where he went from being a student at College Match, an organization that provides college access services to students in city schools, to volunteering to help others. In Philadelphia, Bryan spends time in South Philadelphia at Puentes de Salud a non-profit organization aimed at promoting health and wellness within Philadelphia’s Latino immigrant population through health care, innovative educational programs, and community building.